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Sept. 8, 2004
Think of the big plays in the Virginia-North Carolina series that have made such an impact in the outcome of the games. Billy Smith’s touchdown catch in ’83 that gave George Welsh his first winning season at UVA. The Scott Secules led drive in ’87 that helped the Cavaliers win 5 games in the ACC and finish second.
Antwan Harris’ 96-yard interception return in ’96.
Todd Braverman’s wind aided, 50-yard field goal in ’99.
Muffin Curry’s fumble recovery and Marquis Weeks kick off return in 2002.
The list is endless…and guess what. It could happen again in 2004.
North Carolina comes to Charlottesville with a head of steam propelled by a fourth quarter comeback against William and Mary. The offense is good and quarterback Darian Durant is as solid at his position as anyone in the country. 47 school records speak volumes, don’t you think?
“He’s a pretty dynamic player,” Virginia coach Al Groh told the media gathered for the weekly press conference. “He’s elusive, a strong runner, a very dangerous player.”
The Wahoo defense knows all too well what can happen when you let a guy like this off the hook. UVA defensive end Brennan Schmidt told reporters the way the defense handles Durant is the key to everything.
“We can’t let Durant have his lanes,” Schmidt said. “We have to make sure we keep him in the pocket and give him a lot of pressure.”
UNC is complimented with two strong running backs in Ronnie McGill and Jacque Lewis. McGill is 206, Lewis is listed at 190 and both went over 100 yards last week against the Tribe.
“I’m impressed with both of them physically,” Groh said.
Meanwhile the Tar Heel defense is still in transition. Now headed up by John Gutekunst, a veteran of several college defensive transformations, the Heels have gone back to school. Last year Carolina was 9th in the league in total defense and rushing defense.
“Sometimes defenses take a while to learn and synchronize,” Groh said Monday. “They have a couple big playmakers on that side however.”
In the Cavalier’s camp there is a quiet confidence, however several items surface for this game…one, UVA’s defensive backfield.
The `Hoos secondary didn’t get much of a test last week. Despite safety Marques Weeks being in on 71 plays, getting a sack and playing great on special teams, the corners didn’t see all that much due to the pressure Temple’s quarterback received form the front three and linebackers.
“We had some great performances from our defense, ” Groh said. “(Kai) Parham was good, (Ahmad) Brooks, (Rich) Bedesm and (Darryl) Blackstock had terrific games and I thought our front played very well. However our defensive backs weren’t tested because of the pressure on (Walter) Washington.”
Everything on paper gets put in a shredder. This is North Carolina and Virginia, the South’s oldest rivalry and over the years it has been played just that way.
GAME NOTABLES:
I loved the quote by Coach Groh this week when asked about Virginia’s offensive goal line philosophy and the fact Wali Lundy gets a majority of the carries. Groh said, “He’s a strong, physical back…more so this year…but his wheels are shiny enough to get to the outside and score as well.”
Coach Groh spent plenty of time studying first year placement holder John Phillip’s technique to make sure there wasn’t anything he was doing differently than Matt Schaub did last year. Kicker Connor Hughes missed an extra point and two field goals against Temple…almost unheard of after what Hughes accomplished last year. Connor felt the `holds’ were good.
This game marks the first time in the series…despite two season openers…that the Cavaliers and the Tar Heels both come into the game undefeated.
Fullback U? Last season Virginia never had a fullback carry the ball. Last week Jason Snelling and Brandon Isaiah combined for 8 carries and 62 yards. Isaiah reeled off a 20-yard run and had two carries for 26 yards. Snelling went 6 for 36.
Since 1982…UVA is 10-2-1 when committing fewer turnovers than UNC.
Even though quarterback Marques Hagan’s has had three starts as a signal caller…this will be his first at the Carl Smith Center.
And how about Zac Yarbrough, the Wahoo’s center; he has started 23 games…and has never allowed a sack in his career. UVA is 17-6 in those games.
The fever is spreading. Catch it Saturday!